The Hodgman Government’s belated claims that savings from the Federal Government’s waived housing debt will be spent on easing public housing waiting lists has done little to reassure Tasmanians that the state’s housing crisis is being taken seriously.
Shadow Minister for Housing, Alison Standen, said the Liberals can’t be trusted when it comes to housing.
“The fact that it’s taken Roger Jaensch four months to decide what to do with the housing debt waiver savings shows how incredibly out of touch the Liberal Government is when it comes to housing,” Ms Standen said.
“The Hodgman Government simply cannot be trusted to take the housing crisis seriously.
“At time when Tasmania needs 900 affordable houses every year to meet demand the Liberals promised to build 900 affordable houses in their first five years in Government – and then failed to build even half that number.
“Since the Liberals came to Government public housing waiting lists have increased by more than 50 per cent, wait times for priority applicants have increased from 21 to 67 weeks, and rental affordability is the worst in the country.
“Tasmanians can’t afford to have this opportunity blown by the Hodgman Government.
“Tasmanians deserve to know exactly how the waived housing debt is going to be spent – if we want to live in a fairer society where people feel valued, we have to make sure that housing meets people’s needs.”
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Housing Minister
